East Carolina UniversityDiversity Summary

Written by Samantha Mandel

Samantha Mandel

Hometown

Matthews, NC

Major

Biology

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The word "diversity" has been significant on campus for the past few years, especially in student leadership training and in the administration. On the student level, however, diversity is manifested in many forms at ECU, including state, race and ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, age, and economic background. Minority student organizations do not generally restrict membership to students who are of a particular ethnicity. Usually, the groups are open to anyone who appreciates the culture and who is interested in educating others. Some students, however, seem to feel that the push for diversity has resulted in some degree of disenfranchisement for
majority groups. Inter-racial and inter-religious couples are not uncommon here, which tends to either dismay or delight parents. New students can expect spontaneous step demonstrations on Wright Plaza during pledge season. New students will also see others wearing headscarves or perhaps yarmulkas, and some wearing shirts with religious sayings on them or crosses around their necks. A note about North vs. South and big city vs. small town interaction: at ECU, we hold the door for people and say hello to people even if we do not know them.